Scanning turntable digitizes objects as 3D models

This turntable can automatically digitize objects for use in 3D rendering software like Blender3D. [James Dalby] built it using a high-quality DSLR, and some bits and pieces out of his junk box. The turntable itself is a Lazy Susan turned on its head. The base for the spinning model is normally what sits on the table, but this way it gives him an area to rest the model, and the larger portion acts as a mounting surface for the drive mechanism.

He used the stepper motor from a scanner, as well as the belt and tension hardware from a printer to motorize the platform. This is driven by a transistor array (a ULN2003 chip) connected to an Arduino. The microcontroller also controls the shutter of the camera. We’ve included his code after the break; you’ll find his demo video embedded there as well.

The concept is the same as other turntable builds we’ve seen, But [James] takes the post-processing one step further. Rather than just make a rotating gif he is using Autodesk 123D to create a digital model from the set of images.

25 thoughts on “Scanning turntable digitizes objects as 3D models”

This is cool. It’s nice to see that everything can be controlled from the one Arduino. I’ve needed to make 3d models before, and I’ve just used a microwave oven turntable motor (~ 4 RPM). But this certainly gives complete control.

This is easily fixed by scanning a second or third pass and changing the height of the camera, or in a professional rig you would have multiple cameras at varying heights and angles to give you better coverage.

1st….it doesnt slice cardboard…it creates interlocking slices at a specified thickness and angle outputting it in a non overlapping layout of the layers. This file can then be used as path data to guide a tool that could cut whatever.
you could use a waterjet, a laser, a vinyl plotter etc to cut anything from paper to marble if you were so inclined and funded.

I wasn’t talking about the physical object – I was talking about the software. I know you can use whatever material you want once you get the file to give to the laser cutter. (For extra, further clarification, I’m also aware a laser cutter has a limited range of materials it can process. So when I say “whatever material you want”, I mean whatever material the laser cutter is compatible with. I didn’t think I had to be so verbose with a bunch of intelligent hackers…)

I was under the impression the 123D software could take a 3D model and then ‘slice’ it up into individual layers of material. Looking at the model gallery, that’s what it appears to be. I would like to design a solid 3D model of something (lets say…a cube) and have the software automatically generate the slices for me.

Are you sure the pieces are actually interlocking or do you just glue them together? I didn’t see any interlocking parts in the couple pictures I saw…

Also, you didn’t have a 2nd point so your “1st” was not necessary. Thanks.

tl;dr – Anybody have a link to a good tutorial for 123D, specifically the cardboard layering technique?

I’d love to see this sort of thing applied to online retail. 360-degree views are okay, but a 3D model with enough surface definition would let you see *any* angle. Kind of pointless for DVDs, but it could be useful for things like digital cameras (so you can see where all the controls are).

This is really cool!
Respect to James for building (and publishing!) this project. However, at this moment, I am even more impressed by the Autodesk software that he feeds his images into! Apparently I am not the only HaD reader who was completely oblivious to this.

Going through the tutorials, it seems like a turntable is not needed, or even the best way to take pictures (though it makes for easy automation).
Having a static object with lighting in a constant direction (and no flash) seems to work better with the software.